While no formal decision has been announced, the senator said that sources have told him that the West Side museum is a front-runner in the competition to win one of three decommissioned spacecrafts.

"We believe New York has a very good shot. It's certainly not a done deal, but we believe we are well positioned to receive one of the shuttles," Schumer said in a statement to NBCNewYork.

One of the shuttles has reportedly been promised to the Smithsonian, leaving New York vying for one of the remaining two shuttles along with 20 other institutions.

Schumer said that there is stiff competition from at least two other cities, although he refused to name them specifically. He also said that he hears that a decision will be announced within the next "few weeks".

NASA had initially planned to make its decision in July, but now says that they will do so by the end of the year.